This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: WaFaO68 Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.virginia.unknown/7258/mb.ashx Message Board Post: I only recently learned that a Richard Owens came to Maryland from Virginia in 1648/49 along with a group of other men. they had been "banished" from virginia becasue they were "Non-conformists". I gathered this information from "Founders of Anne Arundel and Howard counties" by J.D. Warfield 1904/5 (?) I came across this book on line, I had only heard of it before. As I am related to the Warfield's through my mother's Welsh's line. John Welsh I arrived here in Maryland around the same time as Richard. (Though not together....John arrived with money in his pocket..at least that is the family theory :) ) I have been searching out my father's line...Owens for some time and they just didn't leave a big 'foot print' at all. but something that I read in "Founders" struck a true nerve...."Non - conformists" Now that sounds like every Owens realative I have. they are stubborn as all get out! Although according to what I have read in "Founders", they were most likely Quakers (and during the 1640's - the Quakers did not have a good reputation) but at any rate I think that Richard was indeed a Quaker and he didn't want the government to tell him how to think or how to worship! I know that the Owens' in Maryland eventually divided into three distinct family lines. Owen (no 's') they settled in the Southern part of Maryland, the Owings (they completly changed their spelling)..They settled north of Baltimore City and Owings mill is named after them. And then you have my line. They seemed to settle in Central Maryland around Annapolis Junction and westward. All three lines start with a Richard. The Richard that left Virginia was married to a Rachel. I can find mention of at least 3 sons and 1 daughter. But as they are not mentioned in the same paragraph but in a disjointed way, I am not certain that they are talking about the same person or people. I can trace my line backwards from me to the 1750's My name is Wanda Fay (Owens) Schneider, my father is Carl william Owens, of Franklin Benjamin Owens, of Benjamin Franklin Owens, of Samuel Owens, of Benjamin, of Benjaimin. And that is where the stone wall is and I can't seem to get beyond it. I was hoping that Founders would give mention for who married whom and had what, but Richard is only mention a few times so far. I think that the book is less than 500 pages and I have read at least 355 pages. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.